1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:04,000 Welcome to episode 26 of design cures podcast. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:08,000 I'm your host and Mentor, Rebecca Ward, and today we have 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,800 Lindsey Kjellberg. Again, we had her back in 4 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,200 episode 24, for part 1, and then this is part 2. 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:15,800 She just had so much information. 6 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:19,000 We decided to break it out into two episodes, but I know you're 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,400 going to love it. And like I said, she is owner of 8 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:27,200 lhk interiors and you can find all of her information in the 9 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,900 show notes, and don't forget that we have My design Mentor. 10 00:00:30,900 --> 00:00:35,700 If you're looking for more one-on-one work with myself you 11 00:00:35,700 --> 00:00:40,100 can join this group of people just like you we come together 12 00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:43,800 and talk about what the careers, like a questions, how to get 13 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:47,500 started, everyone kind of starts out in a different spot in life. 14 00:00:47,500 --> 00:00:50,900 So it's great for me to be able to personalize the information 15 00:00:50,900 --> 00:00:54,100 that you're getting and have a coaching call with me every 16 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:58,800 month and I can review your portfolio and we have a book 17 00:00:58,800 --> 00:00:59,900 club in there, so it's just a lot. 18 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,900 Define. So you want to get in there and 19 00:01:01,900 --> 00:01:05,600 you can find out more info about that on our website, our word 20 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:09,100 design.com. So let's get into what Lindsey 21 00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:11,300 has for us today. You're going to love it. 22 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:19,000 You're now listening to design, curious a place where you 23 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,600 creative one are here to learn about what it really is. 24 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,600 Like, to be an interior designer and I'm your host and Mentor 25 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:30,500 Rebecca, Ward, if you're worried about how to succeed in a 26 00:01:30,500 --> 00:01:34,200 creative career, if you're ready to learn your next steps to 27 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,700 become an Interior Designer. And if you want the satisfaction 28 00:01:38,700 --> 00:01:42,400 of doing something you love every day, you are in the Right. 29 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:46,700 Place grab a coffee, a notebook. And let's dig into today's 30 00:01:46,700 --> 00:01:49,800 episode. Hi Lindsay. 31 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,200 Welcome back to design curious. Thank you. 32 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,300 Great to be back, guys. Yeah. 33 00:01:55,700 --> 00:02:00,100 Can you tell any designer whose might be thinking about changing 34 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:02,400 a career? In to design maybe they already 35 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:06,600 have kids and they're trying to find the time to do it besides 36 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:10,600 having a good system in place or even a mindset that they need to 37 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,500 have their approaching this as a parent because I think interior 38 00:02:14,500 --> 00:02:17,000 design is often a second career choice. 39 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,800 It's not always your first career choice. 40 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:24,600 And some of those parents that are trying to transfer careers 41 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,700 and have kids in and think about maybe starting their own 42 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:30,600 business. There's just a lot to think 43 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,700 about with kids and balancing all that thing. 44 00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:38,000 So, yeah, I would honestly say in whether they already have 45 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,700 kids or not. I think the most beneficial 46 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:48,000 thing for me, was building my connections with different 47 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,500 trades in the area and that's been one way. 48 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:55,400 So maybe if someone has a second career that they're kind of 49 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,900 doing a side hustle for a little bit if they just start helping 50 00:03:00,300 --> 00:03:03,400 one of the contractors in town or you know if they have a real 51 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:08,100 estate agent or someone that they know or can build into 52 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:12,800 their Network and maybe it is part time and then they're 53 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,600 they're questioning whether to make the full time you know 54 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,100 whether to quit the other job I think. 55 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,300 Building your network and is beneficial. 56 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:26,400 Like I said, regardless if you have kids or not and what I find 57 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:31,700 is, sometimes my network comes from the kids, their activities. 58 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:37,300 So, you know, whether it's a school event or a sporting event 59 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:41,900 or whatever it is, but yeah, I just I definitely recommend 60 00:03:41,900 --> 00:03:45,600 building your network and that's what's going to get to lead 61 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,500 starting off. If you're not a full-time 62 00:03:48,500 --> 00:03:51,300 designer and If you don't already have clientele that, 63 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:54,100 know your name and refer you to friends. 64 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:58,200 I think marketing is important but I think net for me. 65 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,500 Networking has been so much more beneficial than I think 66 00:04:03,500 --> 00:04:08,600 marketing for me is almost just keeping my name out there or 67 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:13,000 reminding them that I'm a designer or showing them an 68 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,000 updated project that kind of pushes them, they go, oh yeah, 69 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,399 I've been meaning to call Lindsey for five years And they 70 00:04:20,399 --> 00:04:22,800 see the marketing and then they call me. 71 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:24,700 But usually it's the word of mouth. 72 00:04:24,700 --> 00:04:27,900 It's the networking and working with different contractors or 73 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:32,700 different cabinet makers that now they have a project to come 74 00:04:32,700 --> 00:04:36,700 up a lot of times that's us designers that are saying okay 75 00:04:36,700 --> 00:04:40,700 you know you should call so and so and have them do this or that 76 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:45,900 for you or we're bringing them as are a team but a lot of times 77 00:04:45,900 --> 00:04:49,000 I get so many clients that say or I'm sorry contractors. 78 00:04:49,100 --> 00:04:52,500 That will say called in Z, you know, you're kind of all over 79 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:54,400 the place. Get your design, she'll help you 80 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:59,400 guys designed together and then it's an easy handoff to them and 81 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,600 that would be helpful to if they do have a second job and he 82 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,800 getting into the design and not necessarily the project 83 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,700 management yet because that is what takes up so much of our 84 00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:14,400 time, right is right. And that's where honestly, a lot 85 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,400 of the expertise and experience comes into place to, with the 86 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:19,400 project. Ma'am. 87 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,800 Because it's knowing what to look for on site and how to 88 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:24,700 communicate with the trades and things like that. 89 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:28,600 And that, that would be good to start practicing and build that 90 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:33,100 up over time. That the design is, is a lot 91 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:39,100 more intuitive and you know Talent driven, right? 92 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:43,100 And a lot of times when I am sourcing. 93 00:05:43,100 --> 00:05:46,900 So if I go to one of the tile houses and I'm sourcing a lot of 94 00:05:46,900 --> 00:05:50,000 times they'll pass out, My cards. 95 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:53,600 Hmm so anytime you're you know, if you're trying to get your 96 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,400 name out there if you go to a paint store and leave some 97 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:01,500 business cards, if you can go to a tile house and leave some 98 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:06,000 business cards, a lot of times now I know the different 99 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:09,300 employees. I won't go to every single paint 100 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:11,400 store in town. I won't go to every single tile 101 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:16,300 house because then you're not really getting to know the ones 102 00:06:16,300 --> 00:06:21,300 that you can build into your network and if 54 in stores, I'm 103 00:06:21,300 --> 00:06:25,100 going to go to two or three of them because then they know me 104 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:29,700 and right and then it is the relationships that are really 105 00:06:29,700 --> 00:06:34,000 important, part of executing. I think the projects that you 106 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:39,400 have and like City can't have a relationship with all 50 tiles 107 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:43,700 difference in your area. You need like your go-to people. 108 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,100 Yeah yeah. So continue to develop and then 109 00:06:47,100 --> 00:06:49,600 you have that two-way like you're worried referring your 110 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,600 clients to them and then there's start referring people back to 111 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:53,500 you. Oh, that's great. 112 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:56,000 Right? Is there anything you wish you 113 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,900 had known when you started out in your career like me when 114 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:03,100 you're interning or when you're thinking about starting your own 115 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:06,800 business, but anything you wish you had known then that, you 116 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,300 know. Now, absolutely. 117 00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:19,000 I was about how I'd say 12 to 15 years late. 118 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:25,900 In the operations manual game, and the design firm that I 119 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:30,700 interned, for the design firm, I worked at neither had an 120 00:07:30,700 --> 00:07:35,900 operations manual. Everything was in the, I mean, 121 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:41,400 the whole process was in the principal designer and owner of 122 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,900 the firm's mind. Yeah, yeah, it was not down on 123 00:07:45,900 --> 00:07:49,000 paper. You asked so many questions. 124 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:51,700 Kitchens and still didn't feel like you would learn the 125 00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:55,300 process, you know, she was busy, she needed us helping. 126 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,000 We didn't always know how to help you were trying to help. 127 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:03,600 And then I realized that when I started hiring employees that, I 128 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,600 didn't know how to have them help because everything was in 129 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:10,200 my head and it wasn't, you know, it's still a process and still 130 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,400 trying to figure out what my systems were. 131 00:08:13,900 --> 00:08:19,000 And I just wish 12 to 15 years earlier. 132 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:22,900 I'd say 12 I'll give myself a little credit, but I think 12 133 00:08:22,900 --> 00:08:27,000 years earlier I wish I would have wrote an operations manual 134 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:28,500 for myself. Yeah. 135 00:08:28,500 --> 00:08:31,900 Nobody tells you to do that. When you're a solopreneur that 136 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,299 that you should write down your operations at least thought. 137 00:08:35,299 --> 00:08:38,600 I'd never heard that either. When I was on my own and it was 138 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,400 like after I started hiring people as well, and it's like, 139 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:45,100 oh, I need to, I need to just be able to hand them a task in 140 00:08:45,108 --> 00:08:48,100 that, they can go and implement it without me telling them step 141 00:08:48,100 --> 00:08:50,800 by step by step. Up every time right there. 142 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:55,400 Yeah I was sort of mind-blowing for me it was like, why didn't I 143 00:08:55,400 --> 00:09:00,000 think of this sooner? Yeah, it should be obvious but 144 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:04,900 it's and actually right now I have a college intern so she's 145 00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:07,700 out one of the University's going to school for design and 146 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:10,800 project management. And so we checked in with the 147 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:12,800 school. Counselor, the professor said, 148 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,200 do you have any recommendations for what our school could be 149 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:21,900 doing differently and One thing I said was teach these students 150 00:09:21,900 --> 00:09:27,600 how to run a business. I mean how to go to potential 151 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:31,900 clients home, how to run a consultation, how to read the 152 00:09:31,900 --> 00:09:36,900 contract, your contract, how to build a proposal submitted 153 00:09:36,900 --> 00:09:39,400 proposal. If they approve it, how do you 154 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:43,800 turn it into an invoice and start placing pios? 155 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:49,200 And, you know, just teach them how to run a business because If 156 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,400 they are working for a business, they're going to be better 157 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:57,300 employees and if they decide to own you know start a business 158 00:09:57,700 --> 00:10:00,400 then at least they have a little jumpstart. 159 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:05,700 And yeah I think on one of the other podcast that you and I did 160 00:10:05,700 --> 00:10:09,200 together. I joked about I didn't know what 161 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:15,300 a PL was a profit and loss statement and and I go P and L 162 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:19,800 what? No that's just for Our CPAs, 163 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:21,800 right? We don't need to know what that 164 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:25,400 is. And then later, I thought I 165 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:30,000 would have been a better employee having known in any of 166 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:34,300 the just basic bookkeeping that I could have helped the other 167 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:38,300 design firm with as we were building proposals or, you know, 168 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:42,000 whatever we were doing. If I knew more about business, I 169 00:10:42,008 --> 00:10:45,400 could have helped as an employee and then when I started my 170 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,900 business it would not have been such a long track. 171 00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:51,600 To figure everything out. Mmm. 172 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,400 Yeah, because I also felt when I started my business. 173 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:59,400 I based a lot on what my previous employers had done and 174 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:01,800 not necessarily that, they spelled it out for me, it's just 175 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,200 from observation. And so I felt like I was not 176 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,700 very far along because I was kind of guessing at how to run a 177 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:13,700 business like I think this is what they were doing. 178 00:11:13,700 --> 00:11:18,900 And yeah, Didn't Start the strongest. 179 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,100 And I agree. I think that should be taught in 180 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:25,700 the schools because regardless, if they're working for someone 181 00:11:25,700 --> 00:11:29,900 or for themselves, they need to know this information, right? 182 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,600 I know one time I said to the employee, that's been with me 183 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,100 the longest, and I mean, she is amazing. 184 00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:39,500 She's kind of our Swiss army knife of the office. 185 00:11:39,500 --> 00:11:43,900 She does so many different things than one time I mentioned 186 00:11:44,300 --> 00:11:47,700 overhead because I said, you know, we have to make x amount 187 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:52,200 of money every Every single day. And if we didn't make that then 188 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,700 were under, we're like in the red this week, and so we have to 189 00:11:55,700 --> 00:11:58,700 make up for it. And she said to me, she said 190 00:11:58,700 --> 00:12:03,200 overhead what is that? And I remember thinking, you 191 00:12:03,208 --> 00:12:06,500 know, I've done a poor job of training, huh? 192 00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:10,800 No because she's overhead and the computer she's using and 193 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:14,400 that I'm using and often is sand, you know, all these 194 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,100 things. But she would see big checks 195 00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:20,300 come in and it doesn't matter. Big checks coming in if that 196 00:12:20,300 --> 00:12:24,900 entire check is going out and overhead, I that was actually 197 00:12:24,900 --> 00:12:30,500 the best conversation I had. So if someone out there is at a 198 00:12:30,508 --> 00:12:33,000 point, you know, maybe they're not a new designer, but they're 199 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,200 at a point where they're wondering to hire their first 200 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:40,800 employee into their design business me, having the 201 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:45,000 conversation with my employee, when you become an asset where 202 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:50,200 you are making money for the company then, Your pay will 203 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:58,200 continue to increase with your profitability toward lak and up 204 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,700 until that point. She had been a liability, she'd 205 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:03,900 been costing us money because I wasn't tracking her billables. 206 00:13:03,900 --> 00:13:08,600 She was kind of mortgage doing office tasks and helping me with 207 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:13,300 my client, but she wasn't taking on her own billable tasks. 208 00:13:13,500 --> 00:13:17,200 And that was big. The main bar herself. 209 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:21,300 Yes, exactly. Yeah so yeah when she said 210 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:26,400 what's overhead I'm like you. Yeah yeah. 211 00:13:29,300 --> 00:13:31,500 Yeah. And just you know small small 212 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:35,000 firms are that way that you need your employees to kind of be 213 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,400 thinking like an like the owner. You know, they need to 214 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,700 understand there are costs and overhead and that they need to 215 00:13:41,700 --> 00:13:43,800 do marketing and focus on all these things. 216 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:48,200 So, yeah, there's a lot I think that could be revamped about the 217 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:52,500 Design program out there, right? Hopefully, they're all listening 218 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:58,200 to podcasts and getting our now. Yes, yes, that's why we're here. 219 00:13:59,900 --> 00:14:04,500 Well, taking me a little while to figure it out but yeah. 220 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:09,900 Please learn from our mistakes. Yeah, so we were talking a lot 221 00:14:09,900 --> 00:14:17,100 about your, a team, and trades. And it's definitely a valuable 222 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:21,800 part of building your business. Is getting your a team and 223 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,500 people who have the knowledge that can help you with what you 224 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:29,600 don't know. And do you have a method for 225 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:31,800 vetting? Your a team, like, how do you 226 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:33,800 build that initially? Or what did you do? 227 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:39,500 Yeah. So what I used to do is go into, 228 00:14:39,500 --> 00:14:42,400 you know, if I was on the hunt for a good painter, I would 229 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:47,000 actually go to the paint stores. Like one of the tile houses in 230 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:50,200 our area if they are. Going to recommend someone 231 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,800 there, they're supposed to hand out three cards and say okay 232 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,500 baby, I'm looking for a new painter. 233 00:14:54,500 --> 00:14:58,700 Who do you recommend? And a lot of times I would call 234 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:00,800 them they'd have either projects. 235 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:05,700 I could go see your clients that I could go meet so that I could 236 00:15:05,700 --> 00:15:08,200 see their work. And a lot of times to I would 237 00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:13,500 test them out on my parents house, or my in-laws house or my 238 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:18,000 house or you know it's like okay if it's a painter he can do the 239 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,500 laundry room. Always repaint the laundry room, 240 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:25,100 right? So it was, you know, a couple 241 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:27,500 things making sure one, their quality was good. 242 00:15:27,500 --> 00:15:31,500 And one would I let them into my house when I'm about to send 243 00:15:31,500 --> 00:15:34,800 them into a client's home. Yeah. 244 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:39,000 And then first time, one of a you know a new trade is going to 245 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,600 go into a client's home. I am a lot more. 246 00:15:43,300 --> 00:15:47,700 I'm there more often I'm checking up on everything more 247 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:50,000 often. It's It's a little bit of work 248 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,400 but meeting with that trade before they start that first 249 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:58,500 project and just kind of laying out what my company's policy is. 250 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:01,400 And and that I hope to build the relationship. 251 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,200 And I tell them, I want you to be on my a team. 252 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:09,800 I want you to have that repeat work and just really, you know, 253 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:14,600 as I've built that a team. They know painters that there. 254 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,300 I keep saying the painter, but if it's a different 255 00:16:17,300 --> 00:16:21,600 subcontractor, I work with a lot of the other subcontractors in 256 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,800 the area. So the cabinet guy might say, 257 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:28,100 you know, I would highly not recommend working with this 258 00:16:28,100 --> 00:16:30,500 counter fabricator but this guy is great. 259 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:36,300 He's respectable he's he cleans up the job site every day and so 260 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,100 then from my 18 finding other 18 members. 261 00:16:39,100 --> 00:16:42,700 Yeah, that's great advice. Yeah, for sure. 262 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:47,600 And I think one thing to that has happened that I didn't 263 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:52,900 realize how much Much work I would start getting from those 264 00:16:52,900 --> 00:16:56,900 subcontractors or those contractors that I work with. 265 00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:03,300 And so they work hard to be on your 18, which is great because 266 00:17:03,300 --> 00:17:07,599 you respect them, they respect you and then I'll get a call 267 00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:12,599 from a new client that says, hey so-and-so gave me your number or 268 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:16,500 and said contact Lindsay first start coming up with the design 269 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:20,500 and then he'll come in you know. Right, the contractor? 270 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:23,900 Or yeah, that's, that's been wonderful. 271 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:27,599 And that's kind of been a extra bonus, I guess. 272 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:29,600 Yeah, that's great. Yeah. 273 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,200 Because they'll oftentimes, the clients don't know that. 274 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,600 They actually need a designer to figure out all the details 275 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:36,800 first. So there are getting in touch 276 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:38,600 with the contractors and they're like, whoa, whoa! 277 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,000 Whoa. You have to have a planet called 278 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,100 a desire, so, so that. Yeah, that sounds great. 279 00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:45,900 When that happens. It's nice. 280 00:17:45,900 --> 00:17:50,300 I really do prefer. Most Of my marketing to just 281 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:54,900 kind of reaffirm word of mouth. So I appreciate that. 282 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:59,800 Most of my business does come from that referral Network 283 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:04,100 whether it's friends or family or other people in the trade or 284 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,200 Benders, you know, different showrooms people could go into 285 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:12,800 and then hear my name and then having that online marketing or 286 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:16,900 paper marketing or, you know, whatever form of marketing that 287 00:18:16,900 --> 00:18:19,700 people do. I just always Feel that kind of 288 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:23,200 reaffirms. Oh, okay this is this is lhk 289 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:26,600 Interiors. This is you know, who the tile 290 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,900 Setter was telling me about the contractor and then they see 291 00:18:29,900 --> 00:18:32,800 that and it sort of reminds them, oh, okay. 292 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,500 You know, maybe it's a social media post and they go, oh yeah, 293 00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:37,300 supposed to call Lindsay's, right? 294 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:40,600 Yeah. How often does it happen 295 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:43,400 anymore? Do you ever call your reps and 296 00:18:43,900 --> 00:18:45,600 ask them about product knowledge? 297 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,300 That you might not know that you want to use? 298 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:54,800 Yeah, so one thing that that I always like to go to the 299 00:18:54,800 --> 00:19:00,400 different trade shows and, you know, look around and feel the 300 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,800 new furniture that's out, the different new Fabrics, but I 301 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:08,300 also go to a group where we have. 302 00:19:08,300 --> 00:19:11,200 Once a month, we have different trades, come in, or I'm sorry. 303 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:16,300 Different reps come in and talk about all their new products. 304 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:18,800 And so for me, that's a time to get together. 305 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:24,300 Other with other designers and they will line up like five 306 00:19:24,300 --> 00:19:26,900 different reps to come in and talk about their product. 307 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:33,700 So we might see a handful of reps once a year and you know if 308 00:19:33,700 --> 00:19:36,800 it's a window treatment wrap. She's you know, last month she 309 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:41,000 was telling us about different motorization that is coming on 310 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:47,100 to her product and it's a time to really just dive into the new 311 00:19:47,100 --> 00:19:50,800 products and touch it. I feel and see the different 312 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:55,300 fabrics and ask questions, I mean, I think we're learning 313 00:19:55,300 --> 00:19:57,300 new, you know? You we can't learn everything 314 00:19:57,300 --> 00:19:59,500 that's out there and then something new comes out. 315 00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:04,400 So yeah, I remember when I was starting out, I was working for 316 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:08,900 another designer and he had me meet with maybe the fabric wrap 317 00:20:08,900 --> 00:20:11,300 or something like that, and I'd be in the meeting and then I'd 318 00:20:11,300 --> 00:20:14,900 be like, I don't know what I'm supposed to ask hurt like these 319 00:20:14,900 --> 00:20:18,100 all look great, but I am I supposed to ask questions about 320 00:20:18,100 --> 00:20:23,300 this or You know, I just didn't know what to do with with having 321 00:20:23,300 --> 00:20:25,600 a rep there. Like, I felt like I should be 322 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,000 asking questions, but it have any idea what to do with them. 323 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:33,400 Yeah, yeah. And and that's one reason I go 324 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:38,700 to this rep day with a few other designers, because sometimes, if 325 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:42,400 I'm not thinking to ask a question that they asked, I go, 326 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,700 oh yeah, that was a good question. 327 00:20:44,700 --> 00:20:48,600 I'm glad you asked that. And yes, that happens a lot. 328 00:20:49,100 --> 00:20:55,900 And I would say to if designers are going to local showrooms and 329 00:20:56,500 --> 00:21:02,000 just trying to look round touch and feel if it's tile as you 330 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:06,000 know, what are some of the different numbers on you know if 331 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:12,000 it says A variation and they go okay you know this I see that it 332 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,800 says variation. I see it says one two three or 333 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:16,500 four. What does that mean? 334 00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:20,200 And asking asking They're at the showroom. 335 00:21:20,700 --> 00:21:23,300 If it's of course line, if it's a three body, what kind of edge, 336 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:25,000 termination? You know, just all those things 337 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,800 that when I first got into the industry I went, okay, you know 338 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:31,300 this is a floor plan and this is where we're supposed to say what 339 00:21:31,300 --> 00:21:36,100 tile were picking and this is a pretty color and you know, then 340 00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:37,600 I'd start to learn. Okay? 341 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:39,600 Can it even be used on a floor, right? 342 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:44,600 Hit it be used in residential or commercial what sighs. 343 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,300 You know, I get asked by the tile Setters all the time. 344 00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:51,700 What sighs crowd do you want? And now, I realize that part of 345 00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:55,000 that is already specified in the warranty information. 346 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:58,300 Like this tile is not worried indeed. 347 00:21:58,300 --> 00:22:02,100 If you go too small. Well, you know, if the tile 348 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:04,000 Setter says, hey, what size do you want? 349 00:22:04,100 --> 00:22:09,300 Oh, anything, anything in the world and then you go. 350 00:22:09,300 --> 00:22:12,800 Wait, no, not how it works. No yeah, yeah. 351 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,300 That's also good. Check the written specs on the 352 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:18,900 product as well. A lot of information errands. 353 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:23,000 It can be dry but it's really useful, right? 354 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:27,300 Yeah, and I know I've kind of mentioned a lot of things as far 355 00:22:27,300 --> 00:22:31,900 as residential design, but I have also done commercial and 356 00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:38,600 even Hospitality design and that is a huge learning curve for all 357 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:42,800 of a sudden, the fire rating or the slip-resistant c, or just 358 00:22:43,300 --> 00:22:47,700 any product that you get into that, you can put it in 359 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:51,500 residential, doesn't You can put it in commercial or definitely 360 00:22:51,500 --> 00:22:56,500 not even in hospitality and so and then Hospitality changes 361 00:22:56,500 --> 00:23:01,000 when you get into we did a small wing of a children's hospital 362 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:05,000 him and wow, did I have to learn a lot? 363 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:10,000 It was, it's great. It's you know so much fun to to 364 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,200 get the new knowledge but sometimes it's like oh when am I 365 00:23:13,208 --> 00:23:18,100 going to just know it all. And we won't no not in this, not 366 00:23:18,100 --> 00:23:20,900 in this industry. She has to know. 367 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:25,600 Yeah, there is fight. I think great to have showrooms 368 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:30,200 vendors, wraps trades. I used to think I needed to know 369 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:34,200 everything and now I just say, you know what, I will definitely 370 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:38,600 get that answer from you from the specialty person. 371 00:23:38,700 --> 00:23:42,000 That knows that answer. But I don't know everything. 372 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:46,600 And I it took me a while to realize I didn't have to know 373 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:48,900 everything I can't. Yeah. 374 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,200 Not possible. And it doesn't mean that you're 375 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:54,600 a bad designer. The best part is that you know 376 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:59,000 where to go to look for the answers that's available. 377 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:00,500 All right. Yeah. 378 00:24:00,900 --> 00:24:03,600 Well great, anything else that you thought of that, you wanted 379 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,000 to share. Not that I can think of right 380 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:10,000 now. Okay, you can always come back 381 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,700 on again. I love it. 382 00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:18,900 Yeah, just love talking with you and thanks again for sharing. 383 00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:23,000 All of your expertise. Wonderful thank you for having 384 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,500 me. Yeah thanks Lindsay okay take 385 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:27,600 care. Bye. 386 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:38,400 So wasn't that another great conversation with Lindsay? 387 00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:41,800 I love having her in my circle of colleagues. 388 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:47,000 She is a part of a group that I also run here locally of 389 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:49,200 designers that we get together and talk about business 390 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,500 practices and she comes to those meetings, a lot and it's just 391 00:24:53,900 --> 00:24:56,600 really great support really great Insight. 392 00:24:56,700 --> 00:24:59,400 I always perk up when she has something to say. 393 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:03,000 So we may have her back. Back again, when she has more 394 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:06,600 expertise to share with us. So, thank you so much. 395 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,500 Lindsay for being on the podcast. 396 00:25:08,700 --> 00:25:11,500 If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave me a rating and 397 00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:13,800 review. I'd love to hear from you. 398 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,800 Make sure that you are also loving the episodes. 399 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,800 I enjoy going back and listening to them myself. 400 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,700 And I think I would do this podcast even if no one was 401 00:25:22,700 --> 00:25:24,100 listening. But I love knowing that I'm 402 00:25:24,100 --> 00:25:29,600 helping people out and talking about subject that they really 403 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,800 enjoy. So, Let me know. 404 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:35,900 You can also slide into my DMs on Instagram at our word design 405 00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:39,200 and let me know what your favorite podcast episodes are, 406 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:41,300 so I can create more of those for you. 407 00:25:41,900 --> 00:25:46,400 You can go to my website and download the three things that I 408 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,300 wish I had known when I started my career and that will put you 409 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:53,200 on the mailing list so you won't miss an episode, it'll come 410 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:57,000 straight to your inbox that's it for me this week stick around 411 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:58,900 next week. I will have another great 412 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,900 episode for you. On the You of being coached 413 00:26:02,900 --> 00:26:04,300 Lindsay. And I have both received 414 00:26:04,300 --> 00:26:08,600 coaching as well as I guess coaching each other and there's 415 00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:13,700 just no better way to bolster your business, to bolster your 416 00:26:13,700 --> 00:26:17,800 career, then to be coached, by someone else or even just life 417 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,100 coaching in and of itself. So you're going to stick around 418 00:26:21,100 --> 00:26:24,300 for next week's episode is going to be really good until then 419 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:28,100 stay creative. Thanks for listening. 420 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,000 If you loved this episode, please leave a rating and a 421 00:26:31,100 --> 00:26:32,700 Review. This helps me reach other 422 00:26:32,700 --> 00:26:33,800 curious. Creatives. 423 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:37,800 Like you, if you have a topic request or like to contact me 424 00:26:38,100 --> 00:26:43,000 simply head over to my website, our Ward design.com or email me 425 00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:46,200 at podcast at our Ward design.com.